So confused about the BSN requirement

Someone please help:uhoh21: I keep reading all the posts about the BSN requirement for career advancement & I'm wondering if it applies to everybody. I can't seem to figure out the best route for people who already have bachelor degrees in other disciplines & are diploma/associates RN's. With all of the different bridge programs (RN-BS, RN-BSN/MSN, RN-MS) which is the best route if you want to do advanced nursing (NP,CNL, CNS). I know this question keeps repeating itself on the forums but is it an absolute MUST to have a BSN to advance in nursing . If so why is the RN-MS available bypassing the BSN??? Can you still advance without it if you bypass it & already have a degree Thanks for any help

What the RN to MSN programs do is fulfill the requirements of the BSN. When one has a Masters it is understood that you have a Bachelor's level degree. I presume this whenever someone has a masters in anything. Basically what the ADN to MSN programs do is not repeat courses such as research. Instead of taking both the BSN level of research and then the Masters level, you take just the advanced portion. So it cuts down on a few courses.

Do you have to have the BSN to advance? Will they consider your other degree? Perhaps. A lot of it has to do where you are located. Many parts of the country ADNs hold high level positions in many areas.

Also it depends on the timing. Say for example you really want a position as the Quality Control Manager and it requires a BSN. Suppose it's in a place you've worked for 15 years and only you and a couple of other candidates apply that are less qualified. They might take you based on your experience and your degree.

But say it's another facility where they don't know you and 15 other people want the job. They are might be inclined to take a BSN over you because they fulfill the requirements.

Also, it depends on the degree. I've seen two people with ADNs and Business Administrations Bachelors degrees get BSN preferred jobs here. A bachelor's degree in history might not have done it for them.

Most jobs have that caveat "BSN preferred".

I know that's not a good answer, but that's what I've seen. But to ansswer you question: yes you can advance without a BSN, except in teaching positions.

Last edit by Tweety on May 4, '07

May 4, '07

Thanks for the info. I was confused because I have a bachelors in Psych & will be a diploma RN however the bridge programs im researching offer both RN-BSN/MSN & RN-MS. The differences of course are for the RN-BSN/MSN you have to take a year worth of bridge courses before you go into the masters portion & are awarded the BSN midway through but have 2 1/2 additonal years to complete the masters. On the other hand the RN-MS program has only 2bridge courses that can be taken before or during the masters portion so your actually going straight into the masters portion from the start & it only takes 1 1/2-2 years depending on your specialty. Not to mention the school that offers the RN-MS program has a higher ranking in nursing graduate studies than the RN-BSN/MSN. Just weighing the pros and cons of each

May 5, '07

Good luck with that. If you're reasonably sure you want a Masters, then the RN to MSN would probably be the best route to go.

May 10, '08

RN-MSN is a very great option for people.....however some programs require BSN's for certain specialties...such as CRNA. So something to think about